Crazy About Tiffany’s tells the 179-year story of the world’s most iconic jewelry company that’s influenced everyone from Steve Jobs to President Obama.
Here are 15 things you probably didn’t know about America’s favorite jeweler.
1. Established in 1837
Founded by Charles Lewis Tiffany and John B. Young, their first venture store called Young and Ellis first sold stationery and “fancy goods.” Tiffany took over the company in 1853, renaming it Tiffany & Company and decided to focus primarily on jewelry.
2. Tiffany’s blue color was inspired by an empress
The wife of Napoleon III, Empress Eugenie de Montijo was the biggest fashion icon of the 19th century. When Charles Tiffany saw the above portrait of her, he knew that the shade of blue in her gown would become wildly popular. He decided to make it the official color for Tiffany’s brand.
3. Pantone No. 1837
The robin’s egg blue color, officially called Pantone number 1837, used for the Tiffany boxes and bags, was named for the year Tiffany went into business.
4. America’s first mail order catalog
Known as the “blue book,” Charles Tiffany created it in 1845. Many other brands followed suit.
5. Suppliers of the Union Army in the Civil War
Starting in 1862, Tiffany & Company was the go-to supplier of swords, surgical implements and flags for the boys in blue.
6. Charles Tiffany invented the engagement ring
In 1886, Tiffany decided he would lift the diamond up, above the band, and market it as an engagement ring. Soon, every woman in America wanted one.
7. New York Yankees stole the “NY” logo from Tiffany’s
In 1877, Tiffany & Company created a police medal of honor for a New York police officer with an interlocking “N” and “Y.” The Yankees ditched the American flag top hat symbol for the “NY” instead.
8. President Lincoln gave Mary Todd a Tiffany set
Seen in the photo above, Mrs. Lincoln wore this set of seeded pearls to her husband’s inauguration.
9. Peretti’s bottle pendant may have been for holding drugs
Created in the 1970s, Elsa Peretti claimed this pendant was perfect for holding a flower. With cocaine’s popularity on the rise, however, some think she really intended it to be a drug vial.
10. Steve Jobs was inspired by Tiffany’s designs
In the above photo, Apple founder Steve Jobs is seen at home in a nearly empty living room. Other than his record player, the only thing he deemed worthy of his abode was a Tiffany lamp.
11. Made history with gay marriage ad
This ad was part of the “Will you?” campaign from 2015.
12. The Obamas gave Queen Elizabeth vintage Tiffany’s
To celebrate the Queen of England’s Diamond Jubilee, President Barack Obama and his wife Michelle gave Her Highness this vintage Tiffany’s compact from the 1950s.
13. Breaking For Breakfast
14. Making History
15. Major Sparkle
Source: She Knows